Tuesday, January 3, 2023

Join the Club, Maggie Diaz by Nina Moreno, illustrated by Courtney Lovett - OPTIONAL

Join the Club, Maggie Diaz by Nina Moreno, illustrated by Courtney Lovett
. 256 pages. Scholastic Press (Scholastic). 2022. $18

Content: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE, MS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

12yo Maggie is determined to find herself this year. Her best friends Julian and Zoey have joined clubs and are too busy to hang out after school - and keeping in touch with them is hard as she doesn't have a phone - just a "baby watch" with GPS and the ability to only text her mom. But if she can make the honor roll, there's a phone possibility. Maggie tries some of the clubs herself, but juggling school, friends, grades home responsibilities, and activities prove to be too much for Maggie. 

I think many of my 7th graders will be able to relate - Maggie is in that in-between age between kid and teen where she's reaching for more trust and responsibility but busy parents and high expectations keep her from getting what she wants. It reads young - the story would have worked just as well if Maggie and her friends were in 6th or even 5th grade. I loved the pictures - it's not a graphic novel, but plenty of illustrations contribute to this lively story. Join the Club Maggie Diaz is the first in a series. Maggie's mother is Cuban and Maggie speaks Spanish Zoey's mother is Haitian. 

Lisa Librarian


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